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Warrington Parker

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Areas of Focus

Overview

Warrington Parker, the managing partner of Crowell & Moring’s San Francisco office, is an experienced first-chair trial lawyer and former federal prosecutor. He has successfully tried over 20 cases encompassing a diverse range of civil and criminal matters, such as securities fraud, money laundering, employment discrimination, wrongful termination, copyright, trade secret, violation of California bond measures statutes, product liability, product defect, and breach of contract. Warrington is also a member of the firm’s Litigation, White Collar and Regulatory Enforcement, and Investigations groups.

As a veteran litigator who knows his way around a court room and the board room, Warrington helps clients navigate issues involving the government or claimed violations of state and federal regulations and statutes. He represents clients in False Claims Act matters, employment discrimination cases involving a federal research facility, allegations of fraud and breach of contract brought against a client by a state, and allegations that a school board inappropriately spent bond monies in violation of California law. Additionally, he conducts criminal and civil investigations, both nationally and internationally, including FCPA and financial irregularity investigations in China, Japan, and India.

The Daily Journal named Warrington as a “Top Artificial Intelligence Lawyer” in California in 2024, recognizing his significant contributions to artificial intelligence law. Other notable recognitions include American Lawyer’s Litigation Daily recognizing Warrington’s litigation prowess by awarding him the “Litigator of the Week” accolade for his representation of a multinational computer technology corporation in its pay discrimination suit (2020). He has also been a member of a trial team that Law360 recognized as Legal Lions (2019) after obtaining a favorable verdict in a product liability case in California. Warrington has been consistently named by California Super Lawyers for civil litigation and criminal defense (2006–2007, 2012–2020).

From 1992 to 1996, Warrington was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California in the Los Angeles Criminal Division. He was a law clerk for the Honorable Cecil F. Poole of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (1989–1990).

Career & Education

    • Department of Justice: United States Attorneys' Office
      Central District of California: Criminal Division, 1992–1996
    • Department of Justice: United States Attorneys' Office
      Central District of California: Criminal Division, 1992–1996

    • Harvard Law School, J.D., 1989
    • Princeton University, A.B., 1986
    • Harvard Law School, J.D., 1989
    • Princeton University, A.B., 1986

    • California
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    • Supreme Court of the United States
    • California
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    • Supreme Court of the United States

  • Professional Activities and Memberships

    • Board of Directors, Legal Aid at Work, 2021
    • Board of Directors, Harvard Law School Association of Northern California, 2021
    • Member, American Bar Association
      • Co–Chair, ABA Criminal Litigation Committee, 2019
      • Co–Chair, ABA White Collar Committee's Computer Crime, Intellectual Property and Trade Secrets Subcommittee
      • Co–Chair, ABA Litigation Section Appellate Practice Committee Publications Subcommittee, 2004–2008
    • Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity
    • Lecturer, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, Boalt Hall, Criminal Procedure, 2008–2009
    • Board Member, Mural Music & Arts Project, 2017–2018
    • Board Member, Urban High School, 2010–2019
    • Member, Ninth Circuit Criminal Appellate Panel, 2008–2014
    • Lawyer Representative, Central District of California, 2002–2005
    • Instructor, U.S. Attorney's Office, Basic Trial Advocacy, 1996
    • Staff Member, Kolts Commission, 1992
    • Board Member, Marin Country Day School, 2004–2012
    • Board Member, East Bay Community Law Center, 2004–2008

    Professional Activities and Memberships

    • Board of Directors, Legal Aid at Work, 2021
    • Board of Directors, Harvard Law School Association of Northern California, 2021
    • Member, American Bar Association
      • Co–Chair, ABA Criminal Litigation Committee, 2019
      • Co–Chair, ABA White Collar Committee's Computer Crime, Intellectual Property and Trade Secrets Subcommittee
      • Co–Chair, ABA Litigation Section Appellate Practice Committee Publications Subcommittee, 2004–2008
    • Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity
    • Lecturer, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, Boalt Hall, Criminal Procedure, 2008–2009
    • Board Member, Mural Music & Arts Project, 2017–2018
    • Board Member, Urban High School, 2010–2019
    • Member, Ninth Circuit Criminal Appellate Panel, 2008–2014
    • Lawyer Representative, Central District of California, 2002–2005
    • Instructor, U.S. Attorney's Office, Basic Trial Advocacy, 1996
    • Staff Member, Kolts Commission, 1992
    • Board Member, Marin Country Day School, 2004–2012
    • Board Member, East Bay Community Law Center, 2004–2008

Warrington's Insights

Webinar | 06.11.25

Section 230: Implications for Digital Platforms, Online Businesses and E-Commerce

Section 230 was enacted as part of the United States Communications Decency Act (CDA), providing immunity to interactive computer service providers for third-party content. Known as “the 26 words that created the internet,” this statute is responsible for the development of the modern internet as we know it. 

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Representative Matters

  • Trial counsel in cases alleging that asbestos contamination of a company’s talc products caused mesothelioma and obtained a favorable verdict.
  • Co-counsel representing a software company at trial in case brought by OFCCP alleging pay discrimination.
  • Obtained defense verdict following trial that resulted in the setting aside of an injunction in a dispute involving the claimed inappropriate expenditure of school bond monies (Alpine Unified School District v. Grossmont Union High School District).
  • Obtained verdict favoring client in a criminal case in which the government alleged wire fraud and securities fraud (United States v. Deller).
  • Co-tried two cases and obtained defense verdict in connection with allegations of disparate impact age discrimination (Andrews et al. v. Lawrence Livermore Lab).
  • Participated in team that litigated allegations brought by Oregon against a software company alleging violations of the False Claims Act, RICO, fraud, and breach of contract (State of Oregon v. Oracle).
  • Trial counsel for an individual indicted for money laundering and wire and mail fraud (United States v. Vann).
  • With others, successfully represented a toy company in a case involving, among other things, allegations of copyright infringement and trade secret misappropriation relating to dolls (Mattel v. MGA).
  • Represent and advise a Fortune 100 company in FCPA investigations in China, Japan, and India.
  • Represented government contractor and obtained dismissal of complaint alleging False Claims Act violations.
  • Successfully represented solar energy equipment supplier in a case alleging a reverse False Claims Act claim.
  • Successfully represented a medical center in matter alleging violations of the False Claims Act.
  • Successfully represented entrepreneurs in an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office concerning potential violation of the False Claims Act, specifically against potential claims of a violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law.
  • Conducted investigation relating to and counseled client regarding the False Claims Act retaliation provisions.
  • Represented government contractor and obtained dismissal of complaint alleging False Claims Act violations.
  • Represented officer of a company in a special investigation and follow on derivative action relating to alleged stock option backdating.
  • Represented CFO of a company alleged to have engaged in violations of securities laws.
  • Represented an ISP in a trade secrets misappropriation and breach of contract action resulting in favorable termination for client.
  • Represented a company in a trade secrets misappropriation and breach of contract action resulting in favorable termination for client.
  • Drafted appellate briefs for an events company. Without argument, the Ninth Circuit reversed the district court's decision to invalidate a settlement agreement that resolved Nevada officials' claimed infringement of client's First Amendment rights (Black Rock City, LLC v. Pershing County Board of Commissioners [Ninth Circuit]).
  • Obtained reversal of order following an election challenge that would have permanently banned the client from participating in elections (Bradley v. Perrodin [Cal. Court of Appeal]).
  • Successfully represented the client in an appeal from the denial of an arbitration request and successfully prosecuted a writ petition involving a discovery matter (Nassgil v. Hughes Electronics [Cal. Court of Appeal]).
  • Successfully represented the client in an insurance coverage matter (PMI v. AISLIC (Ninth Circuit)).
  • Successfully represented the client in an attorneys' fees dispute (Bank of America v. Williams [Cal. Court of Appeal]).
  • Obtained the reversal of a multimillion-dollar jury verdict (Tech v. National Semiconductor [Cal. Court of Appeal]).
  • Obtained reversal of conviction for securities fraud (S. v. Hall [Ninth Circuit]).
  • Represented law schools and professors in a First Amendment challenge to the Solomon Amendment (FAIR v. Rumsfeld [U.S. Supreme Court]).
  • Represented as amici in a matter involving a constitutional challenge to way in which students could be assigned to schools (Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle Sch. Dist. [U.S. Supreme Court]).
  • Represented amici in an appeal involving a constitutional challenge to a city policy prohibiting the use of berthing space by nonprofits that discriminated on the basis of sexual orientation (Evans v. City of Berkeley [Cal. Supreme Court]).
  • Successfully represented prominent public California university system in significant matters, including challenges to COVID vaccination requirements and a False Claims Act, obtaining dismissal in the latter.
  • Successfully represented the Board of Trustees of a major public California university in significant matters, including challenges to COVID vaccination requirements and obtaining dismissal of class action claims in a pay discrimination and retaliation case.
  • Represented Stand True in an amicus brief filed in the U.S. Supreme Court for a case involving the First Amendment rights of high school student organizations.

Warrington's Insights

Webinar | 06.11.25

Section 230: Implications for Digital Platforms, Online Businesses and E-Commerce

Section 230 was enacted as part of the United States Communications Decency Act (CDA), providing immunity to interactive computer service providers for third-party content. Known as “the 26 words that created the internet,” this statute is responsible for the development of the modern internet as we know it. 

View All Insights

Insights

Webinar | 06.11.25

Section 230: Implications for Digital Platforms, Online Businesses and E-Commerce

Client Alert | 5 min read | 04.15.25

Is Section 230 Going to Change? The FTC, DOJ and FCC Signal Significant Change for Online Businesses

Event | 03.27.25 - 03.28.25

2025 AIPLA Trade Secret Summit

Speaking Engagement | 03.27.25

"Industry Panel Part I - Trade Secret Issues Affecting Software," 2025 AIPLA Trade Secret Summit

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